It’s always around this time of year that I find myself reaching for darker colour palettes. My days of wearing the neutrals trend are far from over, but sometimes an all black outfit is just the thing. It’s simple, timeless, and always looks chic.
The key trick when going monochrome is to mix up your textures. It creates depth and keeps things interesting. And, if you love washed black tones as much as I do, you can use those subtle changes in colour to stop your outfit from feeling flat.
Wearing Everlane linen shirt, Reformation skinny jeans, Charlotte Olympia kitty flats, Isabel Marant belt, Cuyana leather tote bag, Holly J earrings & necklace, Stella McCartney sunglasses (via Spex Eyewear – thanks Niquita & Terri!), Linjer watch
Perhaps the thing I enjoy most about sharing my outfits over on YouTube is that it creates an environment where I can talk through the details a little more. I thought I’d start bringing that element into my blog posts, discussing fit, sizing, quality and styling a little more.
01 | Everlane black linen shirt
This shirt was part of a collaboration that I did with Everlane in April, and it has become a fast favourite in my wardrobe. I love natural fibres, and linen tops the list for summer and the transitional seasons. I love the textured hand feel of the fabric, and how the creases give more of a lived in look.
Given I spend a lot of my week working from home, silk often feels a little too dressed up, whereas a linen button down seems like the perfect compromise. It’s a tailored piece, but the linen fabric gives it more of a relaxed vibe.
I’m wearing this in a US2 which is my usual size in Everlane shirts. It’s a slightly relaxed fit, with enough fabric to create some volume and shape when worn tucked. I think this will look great layered in winter with a crew neck sweater, but I also see myself reaching for it during the warmer months too, perhaps tied at the waist with the sleeves rolled for a vacation look.
Everlane are currently offering free international express shipping for orders of $100+ USD, which is definitely worth taking advantage of if you have a few things on your wishlist. I’ve been umm-ing and ahh-ing over these ribbed cashmere crew sweaters, as well as this pima cotton turtleneck.
02 | Reformation black high-waisted skinny jeans
Straight off the bat I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d love wearing these jeans as much as I do. But being in a classic black hue, and a timeless silhouette, they’ve become a workhorse as they pair well with everything in my closet. These are made primarily from organic cotton and tencel, which give them a sturdy but soft hand feel. They’re also super stretchy. I had to get my taken up and in around the ankle as the inseam was originally quite long, though this isn’t uncommon for me with jeans or trousers.
To add a bit of extra depth to the skinny silhouette, I’ve really taken to rolling these once at the ankle. It gives that cropped look without hacking off any more of the length, and the extra bulk highlights the narrowest part of my leg.
I did place a full order from Reformation a couple months back, so if you’d like to read my thoughts on the process and the quality of some other Ref pieces, you can check that blog post out HERE.
03 | Charlotte Olympia kitty flats
Quite possibly one of my most loved shoes in my wardrobe are the kitty flats from Charlotte Olympia. Despite the quirky design and high-maintenance fabric, they’re surprisingly versatile and a shoe I love reaching for all year round.
The easiest way to wear them is with some skinny jeans, and a rather basic outfit like I’ve got on above, but they also work with pretty summer dresses, shorts and shirt combos, and tapered tailored trousers as well.
I bought my first pair seven years ago, after ordering them by phone three months before flying to London, where I picked them up in-store and literally wore them ’til the seams were torn and holes were forming at the toes. Luke gifted me this pair a little over two years ago for Christmas, and while they aren’t as well-used as my previous pair, I get so much joy from wearing them.
As a general rule, I find pointed toe flats are the most leg-lengthening, but there’s something about the rounded almond-toe which is undeniably flattering. I’ve bought a few pairs of shoes from Charlotte Olympia in the past, and the flats have always been my favourite. They’re fun, comfortable, and always look great on.
04 | Cuyana leather tote bag
The last piece of this outfit I wanted to touch on is my leather tote bag from Cuyana. I bought this a little over 12 months ago when I was setting out to find the best tote bag for work. I’d made my first purchase from the brand a little under seven years ago, and remember being impressed by the quality, so it seemed like a no brainer. This bag ended up coming out on top, and has been a staple workhorse since.
It’s called a ‘structured’ tote by Cuyana’s definition, but it’s still quite floppy and soft. Over the 12+ months I’ve owned it, the bag has retained the structure it has and the leather has worn beautifully.
What I love about this is that it’s a catch-all bag that goes with e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. The size is comfortable enough to sling over my shoulders even when full, and it never feels overwhelming against my frame. I’m 172cm tall for reference. There’s also an insert you can purchase which helps to organise your belongings. If you’d like more of an in-depth review on the bag, I did share one not too long ago that you can check out HERE.
